May 9, 2016
I have conquered the world. (John 16:33)
In today’s Epistle, Paul baptizes some of the Baptist’s followers and “when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them…. Altogether there were about twelve.” One thing we learn is that the power is not as much in numbers as in awareness of the Spirit who lives within US. Psalm 68 reinforces the Lord being this source of power: “God arises; those who hate Him flee.” He is “father of orphans” who “gives a home to the forsaken.” Our global village feels as though the numbers of desperate people in need of our God’s strength multiply daily. Our Community charism of reconciliation says we are “called to be a sign of His continuing presence.” Our hope and power is stated in John’s Gospel: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
-Sr. Donna Olson, CPPS (O’Fallon)
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
May 8, 2016
. . . that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in my name to all the nations. (Luke 24:47)
“. . . to all the nations!” How these words must have struck the disciples with fear and concern! If we put ourselves in that time and place, we would likely say: “You’re kidding, of course. Not everyone believes in You! Not everyone in our nation believes in You so it is impossible to think about all nations! It doesn’t appear that You have a kingdom here to be part of!”
Perhaps it is a challenge today as well to think about preaching in His name to all nations. Maybe you do not feel like you have a call to be a missionary in another culture. Maybe you do feel the desire to evangelize far and wide but circumstances limit your options at this time.
In this time of globalization, it would be helpful to think how the call to preach to all the nations can happen quite locally, unlike any other time in our history. Who are those people who dress differently; who look different; and who eat food from a special market? Most likely they are from your neighborhood. Have they been welcomed? Do they have what they need?
After we find the “nations” in our neighborhoods then the question becomes what are the ways that we can “preach?” Rather than preaching with words, remember that actions speak louder than words.
-Sr. Charlene Herinckx, SSMO
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
May 7, 2016
For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. (John 16:27)
Faith, all we need is faith. Faith is more than just a word. In Acts, the Christian faith is often called “the Way.” As Christians we must show our beliefs by what we do. The Lord requires us to do justice and to love goodness and to walk humbly with our God. We are called to loving mercy and doing justice for ALL. Apollos had a strong faith and defended that faith in public. Do you stand up for your faith in public? Do you stand up for others in public? Do you treat everyone with compassion and dignity no matter their race, gender, financial status, sexual orientation, age, or appearance? Are you judgmental? Are you welcoming to everyone? Do you believe?
-Mrs. Connie Vincent, ASC Associate
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
May 6, 2016
The Lord promises to Paul what he promises to all: “I will be with you.” Even though Paul often seems like a very bold person, he probably had his moments when life seemed to overwhelm him. This is one of those. So the Lord gives the usual command: “Do not be afraid. You’re doing my work; keep going; You’ll be ok. I am with you. I have many people there.”
Those words are fulfilled when Paul is brought before Gallio. Paul does not even have to defend himself because Gallio sees through the jealousy and hard hearts of his accusers and know there is no case against Paul. Paul must have remembered the words of the Lord: “Do not be afraid; no one will harm you.”
-Fr. Joseph Uecker, CPPS (KC)
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
May 5, 2016
I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice. (John 14:18)
Everyone grieves at one time or another during their life time. For some, it comes sooner rather than later. Some grieve over the loss of parents; some over a spouse or a close friend. It seems that the deeper the love, the deeper one feels the separation. One of the gifts God gives us to cope with such a loss is the gift of memory. If there are no memories, there is no feeling of loss. (Bonhoeffer). During the loneliest moments of our lives, one has only to look at a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Sorrows, or the Divine Savior on the cross. Love has a way of lessening our sorrow for He tells us daily with outstretched arms, “I love you this much.”
-Sr. M. Juliana Monti, SSMO
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
May 4, 2016
Many of us in ministry have been sneered at by others. Our motives are questioned. In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, those in Athens dismiss Paul with a “we must hear you again sometime.” If you are/have been a teacher or a rectory office worker, you remember the challenge of a warm day in May.
What does God call us to in this time? For religious sisters and brothers, we remember many times when others dismiss our words because we are just a
. It takes courage to follow Jesus but not my personal courage. The writer of the Gospel of John offers us hope today. Jesus will ascend into heaven but the Holy Spirit will return. God may come and go in our lives. We are not defined by others who are negative to us. The Holy Spirit blows in the Spring air. May we enjoy ourselves because of God’s promise not the world’s indifference. John reminds us that every dog, with the help of the Holy Spirit will have its day, even Ohio professional sports fans.
-Br. Tom Bohman, CPPS (Cincinnati)
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
